I know we've had several N.V. threads before, and I checked them all and didn't see this addressed.

I've seen people refer to "Generation ___" (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3), and say that Generation 3 is the best to get, but...

What does that mean? Is it improvement on the older models, is it a different design, is it something to do with magnification? Can someone please clarify for me?

Thanks!!!

Well, Gen 2 had the bald captain and Gen 3 was on the station and -

Oh wait. Never mind!

advancements in technology (and price)
If you have ever used a Gen 3 or 2 and go back to a one
you'll throw the one away , whichone.....well that one.

Without looking up the information to be sure, I think 4th generation is current and includes some Infrared technology integrated in with higher definition light enhancement.
Best of both worlds where warm-blooded animals glow in the dark.



http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks

I think the integrated IR units may be what the som of the US military is using.

Stacy ,


Here is a link to an excellent explanation of how night vision works.

http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks


stan

The difference between Gen 1 and Gen 3 is, seriously, like night and day.

Bipto..LMAO....I was right there with ya

Stacy...I was researching this myself and found this link:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/nightvision.htm

How Night Vision Works

by Jeff Tyson

Image enhancement - This works by collecting the tiny amounts of light, including the lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point that we can easily observe the image.

The Basics
In order to understand night vision, it is important to understand something about light. The amount of energy in a light wave is related to its wavelength: Shorter wavelengths have higher energy. Of visible light, violet has the most energy, and red has the least. Just next to the visible light spectrum is the infrared spectrum.
Infrared light is a small part of the light spectrum.

Infrared light can be split into three categories:

Near-infrared (near-IR) - Closest to visible light, near-IR has wavelengths that range from 0.7 to 1.3 microns, or 700 billionths to 1,300 billionths of a meter.
Mid-infrared (mid-IR) - Mid-IR has wavelengths ranging from 1.3 to 3 microns. Both near-IR and mid-IR are used by a variety of electronic devices, including remote controls.
Thermal-infrared (thermal-IR) - Occupying the largest part of the infrared spectrum, thermal-IR has wavelengths ranging from 3 microns to over 30 microns.
The key difference between thermal-IR and the other two is that thermal-IR is emitted by an object instead of reflected off it. Infrared light is emitted by an object because of what is happening at the atomic level.
Once an electron moves to a higher-energy orbit, it eventually wants to return to the ground state. When it does, it releases its energy as a photon -- a particle of light. You see atoms releasing energy as photons all the time. For example, when the heating element in a toaster turns bright red, the red color is caused by atoms excited by heat,
In night vision, thermal imaging takes advantage of this infrared emission.

Gen 1 2 and 3 and 4 are explained here woth some neato graphics...ATN is one of the best night vision suppliers I guess:

http://www.atncorp.com/HowNightVisionWorks


FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION

A Night Vision Device can be either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation unit. What this stands for is what type of light intensifier tube is used for that particular device The light intensifier tube is the heart and soul of an NVD.

WOW, thanks everyone!! This helps tremendously!!

Think I'm gonna get a little better educated, and then head for eBay...

Great info I checked Ebay today and man are those things pricey

I have checked ebay and there are some cheap ones on there and some that are like $500-$1600 or more!!!!! Gonna have to wait for those...........



Sail